Articulated extension handle for outboard motors



F. OHLAU May 29, 1956 ARTICULATED EXTENSION HANDLE FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed July 21, 1952 FIGZ.

INVENTOR. BY Mar a /(./%M HIS AGE United States Patent ARTICULATED EXTENSION HANDLE FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Frank Ohlau, Rochester, N. Y.

Application July 21, 1952, Serial No. 300,110

2 Claims. (Cl. 74-480) The present invention relates to extension handles for outboard motors, and it more particularly pertains to an articulated extension handle having spaced respective vertical and horizontal pivot points.

Most extension handles and other extended steering devices for outboard motors are limited in their utility in that when applied they must be operated from a particular control position in the boat, such as is the case where a steering wheel is employed.

The extension handle provided by the present invention is more versatile in that by a simple thumb screw adjustment it can be positioned for advantageous steering control of the outboard motor from the center or either side of a front or intermediate seat in a boat. This versatility is obtained by a horizontal pivot of a handle at the end of an extension arm.

Rather than require the extension handle to be disconnected from the steering arm of the motor for the control of the motor directly from the rear seat of the boat, the extension handle is articulated by both horizontal and vertical pivots so that it can be folded back out of the way readily to permit immediate direct control of the outboard motor from the rear seat of a boat. When folded up in this manner, it is folded at two spaced pivot points so that it does not interfere with the operation of the outboard motor, and furthermore does not extend materially above the motor, thus providing proper clearance for passage under low bridges and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide extended control facility for an outboard motor, readily adaptable to control a motor from either left, right, or center position in a forward seat of a boat.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a double jointed extension handle for an outboard motor that can be readily folded out of the way whenever it is desired to control the outboard motor directly from the rear seat of a boat.

Other objects, purposes, and characteristic features of the present invention will be in part obvious from the accompanying drawing, and in part pointed out as the description of the invention progresses.

In describing the invention in detail, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters have been used to designate similar parts in different views; and in which Fig. l is a view in perspective of the extension arm as applied to the control of an outboard motor from a forward seat in a boat; and

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the extension handle provided by the present invention as secured to the steering arm of an outboard motor.

In general, the extension handle comprises a clamp C, an extension arm A, and a handle H.

The clamp C comprises an L-shaped bracket adapted to be secured back of the grip 11 of an outboard motor steering arm 12, one end of the bracket extending beneath the arm 12 and being secured thereto by a suitable yoke 13 and bolts 14, preferably fastened with ice wing nuts 15, and the other end of the bracket extending vertically and having a hole formed therein for the attachment of the extension arm A.

The extension arm A is preferably made of strap metal having a hole formed in each end thereof and being twisted axially so that the respective ends of the extension arm A fall in planes at right angles to each other.

The handle H is preferably formed of a light material such as wood or plastic, with a hand grip 16 formed at one end thereof, and with the other end bifurcated and having a hole formed therein for attachment to the extension arm A.

In assembly, one end of the extension arm is pivotally attached to the vertical end of the bracket 10 by a bolt 17 and wing nut 18, and the handle is pivotally secured to the other end of the extension arm A by the bolt 19 and wing nut 20, with the extension arm A disposed within the bifurcated portion of the handle H.

When thus assembled, the extension handle is articulated when the wing nuts at the pivot points are relatively loose, with a vertical pivot at the point of connection of the extension arm A to the clamp C, and with a horizontal pivot at the other end of the extension arm A at the point of connection of the handle H. A detent 21 is formed in the lower edge of the extension arm A, near the clamp C, so that with the extension handle in its operating position it serves as a stop against the edge of the bracket 10 when the extension arm is permitted to drop to a point slightly below a horizontal position.

In the use of the extension handle for steering from a forward seat 22 of the boat 23, the horizontal adjustment of the handle H is made by loosening the wing nut 20 and then swinging handle H horizontally to the desired position, dependent upon whether the operator is to steer from the port or starboard side of the boat 23, or from the center. The wing nut 20 is then tightened.

The handle H can be adjusted to the most desired position elevationally by loosening the thumb nut 18, lifting the handle H to the desired elevational position, and then tightening the wing nut 18.

To fold the extension handle back out of the way to permit direct control of the outboard motor 24 from the rear seat of the boat 23, the operator has only to loosen the wing nuts 18 and 20 and fold the extension arm A to a vertical position and fold the handle H downwardly as is illustrated in Fig. l. The wing nuts 18 and 20 are then tightened and the extension handle becomes firmly secured in this position. When, at a later time, it is desired to use the extension handle, the operator simply loosens the wing nuts 18 and 20, positions the handle 8 as desired, tightens the wing nuts 18 and 20, and the extension handle is then ready to use.

It has further been found in the practice of the invention that additional versatility can be obtained by leaving the joints of the extension handle slightly loose so that adjustment can be quickly made at will, without requiring the loosening of the Wing nuts 18 and 20.

Having described a specific extension handle for outboard motors, it is desired to be understood that this form of disclosure is intended to illustrate the teachings of the invention rather than to limit the number of forms the invention may assume, and it is to be further understood that various modifications, adaptations, and alterations can be made to the form shown in accordance with the requirements of practice, except as limited by the appending claims.

What I claim is:

1. An extension handle for outboard motors comprising in combination, an extension arm adapted for a vertical pivot at one end and a horizontal pivot at the other end, a clamping yoke, a clamp having a horizontal clamping portion for cooperating with said yoke when through substantially 90 degrees relative to the horizontal clamping portion of said clamp, and means for pivot-ally connecting said bifurcated end of said handle to said other end of said extension arm to permit said handle to pivot through substantially 90 degrees at righttangles to the direction of pivot of said extension arm relative to end of said extension arm to said vertical portion t said clamp to permit said extension arm to pivot vertically through substantially 90 degrees relative to said clamp to an extent limited by said detent, and means for pivat the other end, a clamp having ahorizonta1 clamping 7 formed therein, means for pivotally connecting said one otally connecting said bifurcated end of said handle to said other end of said extension arm to permit said handle to pivot through substantially degrees at right;

, angles to the direction of pivot of said extension arm in its pivotal connection to said clamp.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS v 190,860 Hopkins May l6, 1877 752,738 Wheeler Feb; 23, 1904 944,932 Abraham Dec. 28, 1909 1,825,240 Miller a Sept. 29, 1931 2,365,490 Pieron Dec. 19, 1944 2,478,858 Buske Aug. 9; 1949 2,543,490 'England Feb; 27, 1951 2,561,440 Garson at July 24', 1951 2,679,766 1954 Jacobsen et alt June 1, 

